Nursing

Admission Criteria

All candidates must meet the regular admission requirements as stated in the current catalog:

To become an eligible nursing applicant, each individual must have the following on file in the admissions office no later than March 1.

• Completed college application.
• Take Accuplacer Placement test or have current placement examination scores.
• Final high school transcript or high school equivalency certificate.
• Transcripts of all previous university/college/technical schools; and
• Completed current nursing application.

Both the College application and the nursing application can be found at trcc.edu/apply/. Hand delivered applications must be received in the Poplar Bluff or Sikeston Nursing Office by 4 p.m. on the appropriate deadline date or the next Three Rivers College business day if the deadline falls on either a weekend or a holiday. Applications received by mail or other traceable means must be postmarked by midnight on the appropriate deadline dates.

The Nursing Admissions Committee uses the following minimum requirements for the initial screening of applicants:

• Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00, or if current high school student, with no college GPA, rank in the upper one third of their high school graduating class.
• Satisfactory performance on the HESI Admission Assessment (HESI A2) Examination (minimum 75% overall score). HESI A2 scores must be current within two years of application deadline. Examination must be completed by application deadline.
• All RN applicants must complete the HESI Admission Assessment (HESI A2) with a minimum score of 75%.

In the event that two or more applicants receive the same overall score, the applicants will be ranked according to the HESI Reading Comprehension score, and then, if necessary, by the HESI Math score, and finally by the HESI Vocabulary/General Knowledge score. Selection as an alternate does not guarantee admission into the program or placement into the following year’s selection process. Selected alternates remain eligible by completion of pre-nursing courses with a maintained cumulative GPA of 2.00. Alternates will replace students in the ranked order as space becomes available and will be notified by letter. If not granted admission by the first day of class for the cohort, then the alternate must reapply.

Transfer Requests must be received in writing by May 1 for Fall courses and by December 1 for Spring courses for credential evaluation. Contact the Nursing Program for transfer packets and instructions. Readmission requests must be received in writing by the finals week of the current semester from which the student has failed or withdrawn.

Applicants will be notified of their admission status by letter. Individuals selected are required to have a physical examination, preadmission drug screen, and criminal background check prior to starting their first nursing course. Final admission is contingent upon submission of a satisfactory confidential medical history and examination, negative drug screen, a negative criminal background check, and completion of pre-nursing courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher (see curriculum guide).

RN Bridge applicants must meet the same admission criteria as other nursing applicants. To qualify, the selected student must additionally:

• LPN-to-RN Bridge: Have an active, unencumbered license as a Licensed Practical Nurse with privileges to practice in the state of Missouri. (Applicants that have an authorization to test for NCLEX-PN may apply pending successful completion of the licensure exam).
• LPN-to-RN Bridge applicants must also satisfactorily complete the HESI RN Bridge AND Entrance Examination (minimum 700 overall score). RN Bridge applicants can request testing information from Testing Services.
• Paramedic-to-RN Bridge: Have an active, unencumbered license as a Paramedic with privileges to practice in the state of Missouri.
• Paramedic-to-RN Bridge applicants must also satisfactorily complete the EMS HESI AND Entrance Examination (minimum 700 overall score). RN Bridge applicants can request testing information from Testing Services.

Progression and Retention Criteria

1. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 throughout their enrollment in the nursing program. Students must also comply with College policies regarding probation and suspension, as outlined in the Three Rivers College Catalog.
2. In order to progress in the nursing sequence:
   1. Students must achieve satisfactory clinical performance, satisfactory skills lab performance, and a minimum grade of “C” for each nursing course in order to progress to the next nursing course.
   2. Students failing to achieve satisfactory clinical performance or skills laboratory performance will receive a course grade of “F” regardless of the grade in the theory portion of the course.
   3. A student can fail or withdraw from a nursing course one time. A student can only be readmitted to the nursing program one time. A student who fails or withdraws from more than one nursing course (whether in the same semester or different semesters) is ineligible for readmission.
   4. Students must achieve a minimum grade of “B” in nursing related courses, including Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Mathematical Reasoning and Modeling.
   5. Supporting general education courses must be taken in the sequence listed in the student’s program option (refer to curriculum outlines) if not completed before acceptance into the nursing program.

Nursing Program Curriculum

Summer Term

First Year

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Second Year

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Institutional Credits: 4

General Education Credit: 20

Nursing Education Credit: 41

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 65

Nursing Sikeston Program Curriculum

Summer Term

First Year

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Second Year

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Institutional Credit: 4

General Education Credit: 20

Nursing Education Credit: 41

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 65

Please see individual course descriptions for prerequisites, corequisites, and/or other requirements.

*RN Bridge students will take NURS 108 during the summer semester before the second year of the program.

*RN Bridge students will begin nursing classes in the Fall of the second year.

*RN Bridge students must have completed BIOL 231, ENGL 111, and MATH 161 prior to beginning the nursing program

Program Outcomes

• Integrate comprehensive knowledge and critical thinking to make safe, patient-centered clinical decisions.
• Model behaviors that are consistent with the standards of nursing in alignment with the ANA code of ethics.
• Demonstrate nursing competencies in evidence-based practice in a variety of settings.